newman was accused of hostile acts against the country. north korea says he was released because he apologized for his alleged crimes and because of his age and medical condition. this as vice president biden is visiting neighboring south korea. now back to our special. >>> 1990. after 27 years in prison, 71-year-old nelson mandela is a free man. >> yes! >> reporter: he must now adapt to a world completely changed from when he went to prison. there are also questions about the man himself. >> when he emerged from prison, i think there was great tension within the anc. yes, he was the symbol of the anc. yes, he was this great mass leader, but nobody really knew who had not been in prison with him what his capacity was. would he really be able to lead? >> reporter: mandela seeks to move the nation forward together. >> to come out of prison with so very little bitterness and be able to concile warring afrikaners from the right and the black left. >> reporter: but mandela's desire for reconciliation among the people does not make the reconcili